We may soon add the name of Ezra Landry to the list of diminutive backs making an impact on the CFL. Landry may shortly be mentioned in the same breath as Henry “Gizmo” Williams and Pinball Clemons, thanks to the excitement generated by a short field goal attempt in the third quarter, which Landry making his debut in an Alouette uniform returned 110 yards for a touchdown.
In a game that featured the same kind of offensive excitement of a Minnesota/New Jersey hockey game, Landry’s timely return added an adrenaline rush to players and fans alike. In a hard nosed defensive struggle the Montreal Alouettes and Toronto Argonauts had kept the 23,000 fans safely in the back of their seats as neither team could generate any sense of break out offence. By the time of Landry’s mad dash for the goal line the crowd were ready for a break in the 9-9 tie that had been endured for over 30 minutes of grinding football.
The Argo head coach Pinball Clemons had originally planned on punting at that point in the game, but was talked out of the decision by place kicker Noel Prefontaine who advised he thought he had the range for the 49 yard attempt, he came up short, Landry picked up the ball and the tone of the game changed 110 yards later.
With the 16-9 lead and neither team showing any rumour of putting together a long lasting drive, Landry’s points would prove to be the turning point of the game. The game featured some vicious hits, impressive special team coverage (with the exception of the Landry touchdown) and a hard fought battle through the night for field position.
The Argos Damon Allen was forced from the game after heavy hit, suffering a concussion and watching the rest of the match from the mental fog of the sidelines, at the time of his departure Allen was 10-29 for 108 yards, replaced by Michael Bishop it was a rough night for the understudy he went 0-5 in pass attempts and felt the pressure of the Montreal defence for the rest of the game, surrendering two interceptions in his travels. The Toronto offence has been anemic for quite a while now, something that has to be addressed, with tonight’s game the Argo offence has not scored a touchdown since the first half of the first game of the season. As they prepare for game four on the year next Saturday in Hamilton, they will have to get that statistic turned around very quickly.
Anthony Calvillo likewise did not have a normal night for usually dominating Montreal QB, passing for 19 of 25 for 215 yards and suffering six sacks at the hands of the Argonaut defenders.
With the 19-9 win, the Als remain undefeated on the season so far, and now go on to take on the Ottawa Renegades who also have not lost a game so far this year. The East Division show down is the featured attraction next Friday on TSN’s Friday Night Football broadcast.
One bit of work for the Renegades will be studying the running talents of Landry; the newest Al was claimed off of the Edmonton Eskimo practice roster earlier this week. The Eskimos who obviously could use a big play guy, made an effort to keep in Alberta by tendering an old contract offer to the league office, they weighed the evidence and allowed Landry to join the Alouettes, who put a high amount of effort into their special teams. Landry’s arrival in a regular roster spot will give the CFL another exciting play maker to focus on in a league that thrives on the big play and wide open offence, Saturday night’s game for the most part the exception to that rule.
In Edmonton, the loss of Landry coupled with the horrid start of the Eskimo season should give the talk show callers some ammunition to last long into the night.
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